Electric toothbrush and toothbrush head for the same

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush, the toothbrush extending longitudinally and having a hand part, the toothbrush head including a drive rocker, a brush-head carrier coupled to the drive rocker, a main bristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both carriers bearing a bristle arrangement and moveably attached to the brush-head carrier and driven in oscillation by the drive rocker, and a drive-coupler affixed to at least one of the bristle carriers and coupled to the drive rocker. The head can include two separately mounted bristle carriers, supporting bristle arrangements, which are driven about different movement axes by the drive rocker to enhance the cleaning action of the toothbrush.

This is a continuation application (and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 120) of U.S. Ser. No. 10/507,845, filed Sep. 15, 2004,which is a 371 of PCT application serial no. PCT/EP02/12876, filed Nov.16, 2002. Foreign priority is claimed 35 U.S.C. 119 from GermanApplication 102 11 391.2, filed Mar. 15, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to a toothbrush head of an electric toothbrushwhich has a hand part with a drive, with a brush-head carrier, which canbe connected to the hand part, and with a plurality of bristle carrierswhich each bear a bristle arrangement, are mounted in a moveable manneron the brush-head carrier and can be driven in oscillation by the drive,it being possible for the bristle carriers to be coupled to a drivetransmitter by means of a drive coupling in each case.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,312 discloses an electric toothbrush, on the brushhead of which are provided two separate bristle carriers which aredriven by a common drive shaft. One bristle carrier executes anoscillating rotary movement about an axis which is perpendicular to thebrush handle. The other bristle carrier is pivoted back and forth aboutan axis which is parallel to the brush handle. Although thisbristle-carrier arrangement causes an active relative movement betweenthe clusters of bristles, it is disadvantageous insofar as it isrestricted to a specific drive mechanism, namely a transmission rodwhich reciprocates in the axial direction. The additional bristlecarrier, which is arranged further rearwards in the direction of thehand part, requires a cylindrical underside with a special curvedgroove, in which an engagement protrusion of the longitudinallyoscillating drive axis engages. In addition, the configuration of theclusters of bristles arranged on the two bristle carriers is notparticularly suited for cleaning spaces between the teeth effectively.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a toothbrush head and a correspondingtoothbrush provide straightforward, effective drive of the two bristlecarriers.

The bristle carriers thus each have drive-coupling means by means ofwhich they can be coupled to a common drive rocker of the drive, itbeing possible for said rocker to be rocked transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the toothbrush. A better cleaning action caneasily be achieved by the provision of two separately mounted bristlecarriers, which are driven about different movement axes by a commondrive rocker. The relative movement of the bristle arrangements mountedon the bristle carriers assists the cleaning movement, with the resultthat the cleaning action is not just produced by the person cleaningtheir teeth.

The drive rocker for driving the bristle carriers may be designed indifferent ways. According to one configuration of the invention, thebristle carriers may be coupled to a drive rocker which can be rocked inrelation to a plurality of axes, describes a double-cone-shapedcirculatory path and is assigned to the hand part of the toothbrush. Asan alternative, it is also possible to provide a drive rocker which canbe rocked in relation to just one axis and of which the rocking axisextends essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush, preferably such that the drive rocker can be rocked in aplane which contains the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush and isoriented perpendicularly to the main bristle direction defined by theclusters of bristles, i.e. is located essentially parallel to the planesdefined by the bristle carriers. As an alternative, it is also possiblefor the drive rocker to rock in a plane which contains the main bristledirection and the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, in particularwhen the bristle arrangements are to be driven with a picking movement.It is preferable, however, to provide the above described drive rockerwhich can be rocked in relation to a plurality of axes and describes adouble-cone-shaped drive movement.

According to a development of the invention which is independent of aspecific drive, the bristle carriers are each mounted on the brush-headcarrier such that they can be moved about or along a movement axis in adirection transverse to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush,each bristle carrier having its own movement axis, and these beingspaced apart from one another. The toothbrush head is thus distinguishedin that two bristle carriers which are mounted such that they can bemoved about separate transverse axes are driven by a commondrive-transmitter element, which can execute any desired drivemovements. Irrespective of the actual design of the drive-transmitterelement, such a toothbrush-head configuration has particular advantagesin respect of effective teeth cleaning.

In particular, it is possible to provide two bristle carriers. A mainbristle carrier, which may be arranged at that end of the brush-headcarrier which is remote from the hand part of the toothbrush, ispreferably mounted such that it can be rotated about an axis of rotationarranged essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction ofthe toothbrush and essentially parallel to the main direction of thebristles provided on the main bristle carrier, and can be driven inoscillation by the drive rocker. The main bristle carrier may be ofessentially plate-like design and have a circular contour. It canpreferably be driven in a rotationally oscillating manner about its axisof symmetry. The rotationally oscillating drive movement may becombined, if appropriate, with a picking movement along the axis ofrotation of the main bristle carrier, in order to achieve more thoroughcleaning of the spaces between the teeth. It is possible, for thispurpose, for the main bristle carrier to be mounted on the brush-headcarrier such that it can be displaced in the direction of its axis ofrotation.

Preferably provided alongside the main bristle carrier is an additionalbristle carrier, which is arranged in the immediate vicinity behind themain bristle carrier, that is to say closer towards the hand part of thetoothbrush. The additional bristle carrier may have different movementaxes. According to a preferred configuration of the invention, theadditional bristle carrier is mounted such that it can be pivoted abouta pivot axis arranged essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinaldirection of the toothbrush, and can be driven in oscillation by thedrive rocker, which also drives the main bristle carrier.

According to one configuration of the invention, the pivot axis isarranged eccentrically in relation to the additional bristle carrier, orthe bristle arrangement thereon, in order to achieve greater movement ona section of the bristle carrier which is located opposite the pivotaxis. The pivot axis of the additional bristle carrier may be arrangedapproximately parallel to the main direction of the bristles, and thusparallel to the axis of rotation of the main bristle carrier. If theaxis is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush on aborder section of the additional bristle carrier, the opposite bordersection of the additional bristle carrier executes a transverselyreciprocating movement. It would also be possible, in principle, for thepivot axis to be arranged centrally in relation to the additionalbristle carrier, with the result that the latter, in a manner similar tothe main bristle carrier, itself rotates. It is preferable, however, forthe pivot axis to be arranged, as described above, in particular at thatend of the additional bristle carrier which is directed towards the handpart, with the result that the bristles which are adjacent to the mainbristle carrier, and are fastened on the additional bristle carrier, canreciprocate transversely in the lateral direction and clean out thespaces between the teeth.

In an alternative development of the invention, it is possible for thepivot axis of the bristle carrier to be located essentially in the planedefined by the additional bristle carrier and to extend perpendicularlyto the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush. The additional bristlecarrier, accordingly, executes an up and down rocking movement, with theresult that its clusters of bristles move up and down with pickingaction. This rocking axis of the additional bristle carrier can extendapproximately centrally in relation to the longitudinal extent of theadditional bristle carrier, in the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush, with the result that the rear end and the front end of theadditional bristle carrier rock up and down in opposite directions. Inan alternative configuration of the invention, it is also possible forthe rocking axis of the additional bristle carrier to be displaced inthe direction of one end of the additional bristle carrier. Inparticular, the additional bristle carrier may be mounted on thebrush-head carrier such that it can be rocked about its end which isdirected towards the hand part, with the result that the clusters ofbristles which are adjacent to the main bristle carrier, and arefastened on the additional bristle carrier, execute an up and downpicking movement. It is thus possible for the spaces between the teethwhich are adjacent to tooth flanks treated by the bristle arrangement ofthe main bristle carrier to be cleaned particularly effectively.

It is not absolutely necessary, however, for the additional bristlecarrier to be mounted in a pivotable manner. According to anadvantageous configuration of the invention, it may be provided that theadditional bristle carrier is mounted on the brush-head carrier suchthat it can be displaced in a translatory manner along a movement axis.The corresponding sliding guide of the additional bristle carrierpreferably has a degree of freedom in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal direction of the toothbrush.

In order for it to be possible, using the bristles arranged on theadditional bristle carrier, to execute a picking movement in thelongitudinal direction of the bristles, the translatory movement axis ofthe additional bristle carrier may be located essentiallyperpendicularly to the plane defined by the additional bristle carrier,i.e. essentially parallel to the main bristle direction defined by thebristles. As an alternative to this, the movement axis may be locatedtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush in theplane defined by the additional bristle carrier, with the result thatthe additional bristle carrier can be made to reciprocate transversely.It is thus possible for the bristles arranged on the additional bristlecarrier to be moved in the direction of the spaces between the teeth andto clean these spaces out correspondingly.

The drive couplings between the two bristle carriers and the driverocker are preferably designed as an articulated connection, each ofwhich has an articulation axis in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal direction of the toothbrush. Insofar as the drive rocker,rather than reciprocating in a translatory manner, executes a pivotingmovement at its coupling points to the bristle carriers, it is possiblefor the articulated connection between the bristle carriers and thedrive rocker to compensate for the corresponding angle offset.

In a development of the invention, the articulated connections betweenthe drive-transmitter element and the bristle carriers, in addition totheir articulation capability, have at least one further degree offreedom. In particular, the drive couplings of the bristle carriers aredesigned to transmit exclusively forces and movements transversely tothe longitudinal direction of the toothbrush. No forces are transmittedin the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush. This makes it possible,on the one hand, to compensate for the relative movements, between thedrive rocker and the bristle carriers, in the longitudinal direction ofthe toothbrush and, on the other hand, to exchange the toothbrush headin a straightforward manner. This is because the brush-head carrierpreferably has releasable fastening means for fastening it on the handpart of the toothbrush, with the result that the brush-head carrier,together with the bristle carriers, can be removed from the hand partand/or positioned thereon. The drive couplings preferably have cutoutsand/or engagement surfaces which, when the toothbrush head is pluggedon, are introduced axially onto the drive-transmitter element on thehand part and/or the drive rocker. The drive couplings are preferablyprovided directly on the bristle carriers, i.e. the toothbrush head maybe designed to be free of dedicated drive shafts, rockers or rods, thedrive rocker, which is provided on the hand part, being introduceddirectly into a cutout in the additional bristle carrier and in the mainbristle carrier and/or being brought into engagement with engagementsurfaces of the additional bristle carrier and of the main bristlecarrier, when the toothbrush head is plugged onto the hand part of thetoothbrush.

In order to allow coupling to a drive rocker which can be rocked inrelation to a plurality of axes and executes a double-cone-shaped drivemovement, and in the process for the drive movement only to be partiallytransmitted to the bristle carriers, the articulated connection betweenthe drive rocker and the bristle carriers may have a degree of freedomin a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush. It is possible, in particular, for the connection betweenthe drive rocker and the additional bristle carrier and/or the mainbristle carrier to be designed to move freely in a direction transverseto the movement plane in which the respective bristle carrier isintended to move. Accordingly, the drive rocker, which moves in the formof a double cone, transmits just one component of its circulatorymovement to the respective bristle carrier. If, for example, theadditional bristle carrier is to be pivoted about an axis in a directionperpendicular to the additional bristle carrier, i.e. parallel to thebristles, the drive rocker may be seated in a longitudinal slot parallelto the bristle direction in the additional bristle carrier. The movementcomponent transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bristles istransmitted to the bristle carrier, while the movement component of thedrive rocker parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bristles isnot transmitted. If, in contrast, the additional bristle carrier is tobe rocked up and down, then the drive rocker may be seated in atransverse slot parallel to the bristle-carrier plane, with the resultthat the corresponding section is moved up and down, but thetransversely reciprocating movement is not transmitted.

It is not necessary, however, for the drive rocker to be seated in aslot-like cutout in the additional bristle carrier. As an alternative,the additional bristle carrier may have, as drive coupling, a slidingsurface which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush and on which the drive rocker slides. It is preferablypossible here to provide a prestressing device, for example in the formof a spring, which pushes the additional bristle carrier, by way of itssliding surface, onto the drive rocker and keeps it in engagementtherewith. It is also possible, if appropriate, to dispense with suchprestressing since, for example when the additional bristle carrier isto be rocked up and down with a picking movement, the additional bristlecarrier is automatically pushed onto the drive rocker by theteeth-cleaning reaction forces.

If a drive rocker which circulates in the form of a double cone isprovided, the engagement sliding surface of the additional bristlecarrier may be of essentially planar design. In this case, the drivemovement of the drive rocker has two mutually perpendicular components,with the result that the drive rocker slides back and forth on thesliding surface and, at the same time, pushes perpendicularly againstthe sliding surface and moves the bristle carrier correspondingly.

If, in contrast, a drive rocker which rocks in relation to one axis isprovided, it is possible for the sliding surface to have a cam-likeconvexity in a direction transverse to the movement direction of thedrive rocker. If the drive rocker moves in a reciprocating manner overthe sliding surface, the cam-like convexity here produces the desiredmovement in the direction perpendicular to the reciprocating movement.If the drive rocker mounted on one axis rocks in the plane in which thebristle carrier is also to be moved, the engagement surface may be astraightforward bearing means.

In order to utilize the driven movement of the two bristle carriers, orof the bristle arrangements thereon, to better effect and to renderteeth cleaning even more effective, a plurality of groups of clusters ofbristles which are inclined in different directions may be arranged onthe main bristle carrier and/or on the additional bristle carrier. It ispossible here for the groups of clusters of bristles which are inclinedin different directions to have different cross sections and/or to bedesigned with different properties, such as different stiffnesses,bristle lengths, bristle heights and the like. The clusters of bristlesarranged on the main bristle carrier are preferably inclined indifferent directions to the clusters of bristles on the additionalbristle carrier. According to one configuration of the invention,differently inclined clusters of bristles may be provided on eachbristle carrier. It has proven expedient here to provide not justclusters of bristles with a circular cross section, but also clusters ofbristles with a non-circular cross section, in particular with anelongate, oval or rectangular cross section.

In one embodiment, the main bristle carrier and/or on the additionalbristle carrier include clusters of bristles having free working endswhich are located at different heights above the bristle carriers toimprove penetration into interstitial spaces between the teeth andenhance the cleaning action of the brush.

Further advantages, possible applications and advantageous features ofthe invention can be gathered from the following description ofexemplary embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in thefigures of the drawing. In this case, all the features described orillustrated form, alone or in any desired expedient combination, thesubject matter of the invention, irrespective of how they are summarizedin the patent claims or how they relate back to preceding claims, andirrespective of how they are worded in the description or illustrated inthe drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through an electric toothbrush withan exchangeable toothbrush head according to a first preferredconfiguration of the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective plan view, in detail form, of the toothbrushhead from FIG. 1, this showing two bristle carriers which are mounted ina moveable manner and are both mounted, and can be driven, such thatthey can be pivoted in each case about a pivot axis parallel to the mainbristle direction,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of the toothbrush headfrom FIG. 2 showing the drive mechanism and, in particular, the couplingof the rear, additional bristle carrier to a drive rocker,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of a toothbrush headwith two moveably mounted bristle carriers according to a furtherconfiguration of the invention, in which case the rear, additionalbristle carrier is mounted, and can be driven, such that it can berocked up and down about a transverse axis at its rear end section,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of the toothbrush headfrom FIG. 4 in a different viewing direction, this showing the drivemechanism for the two bristle carriers and, in particular, the couplingof the rear, additional bristle carrier to a drive rocker,

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of a toothbrush headwith two moveably mounted bristle carriers according to an alternativeconfiguration of the invention, in which case the rear, additionalbristle carrier is mounted approximately centrally such that it can berocked about a transverse axis,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of the toothbrush headfrom FIG. 6 in a different viewing direction, this showing the drivemechanism for the two bristle carriers and, in particular, the couplingof the rear, additional bristle carrier to the drive rocker of thedrive,

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of a toothbrush headwith two moveably mounted bristle carriers according to an alternativeconfiguration of the invention, in which case the rear, additionalbristle carrier is mounted such that it can be moved up and down about atranslatory movement axis essentially parallel to the main bristledirection,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of the toothbrush headfrom FIG. 8 in a different viewing direction, this showing the drivemechanism for the two bristle carriers and, in particular, the couplingof the rear, additional bristle carrier to the drive rocker of thedrive,

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of a toothbrush headwith two moveably mounted bristle carriers according to a furtherconfiguration of the invention, in which case the rear, additionalbristle carrier is mounted such that it can be moved up and down about atranslatory movement axis in a direction transverse to the longitudinaldirection of the toothbrush and transverse to the main bristledirection,

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of the toothbrush headfrom FIG. 10 showing the drive mechanism for the two bristle carriersand, in particular, the coupling of the rear, additional bristle carrierto the drive rocker,

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a toothbrush head of the toothbrushfrom FIG. 1 showing the arrangement of the clusters of bristles on thetwo bristle carriers,

FIG. 13 shows a cross section through the axis of rotation of the mainbristle carrier from FIG. 12 along line B-B in FIG. 14, and

FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal section through the toothbrush head fromFIG. 12.

The toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 comprises a hand part 1 and a toothbrushhead 2 which is seated on a brush tube 3, which forms an end of the handpart 1 or is connected thereto. The hand part 1 is formed by atoothbrush housing 4 in which a battery-accommodating compartment and adrive motor 5 are arranged axially one behind the other.

The brush head 2 has two bristle arrangements, namely a main bristlearrangement 9, which is located directly at the head end, and a rear,additional bristle arrangement 8, which is located in the immediatevicinity of the main bristle arrangement 9, on the side of the latterwhich is directed towards the hand part 1.

As FIG. 2 shows, the bristle arrangement, which is located at the headend, is borne by a main bristle carrier, which is designed approximatelyin the form of a circular plate in the direction of the bristlearrangement and is fastened on a brush-head carrier 11. As FIG. 13shows, the bristle carrier 10 is fitted in a rotatable manner on an axisof rotation 12 which is anchored in the brush-head carrier 11 andextends, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush,approximately parallel to the main bristle direction of the bristlearrangement 9. The axis of rotation 12 forms the axis of symmetry of theplate-like bristle carrier 10.

The bristle carrier 10 is driven in rotational oscillation about theaxis of rotation 12 by the motor 5, by means of a transmitter 14 in theform of a drive rocker 15. The drive rocker 15 is a rectilinear,essentially rigid metal rod and is mounted, between the motor in thehand part 1 and the bristle carrier 10 in the brush tube 3, in a bearing16, which may be designed as an elastic bearing plug in the form of aring or of a sleeve. The bearing 16 allows the drive rocker 15 to pivotabout axes which are located in a plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of the toothbrush. The drive rocker 15 is drivenby an eccentric 17 which is seated in a rotationally fixed manner on themotor shaft, which extends in the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush (cf FIG. 1). The drive rocker 15 here executes adouble-cone-shaped tumbling or circulatory movement, the vertices of thetwo cones being located approximately in the region of the bearing 16.The two ends of the drive rocker 15 execute a circular-path movement ineach case in a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection of the toothbrush.

That end of the drive rocker 15 which is directed towards the bristlecarrier 10 is seated in a longitudinal-slot-like cutout 18 in thebristle carrier 10, said cutout being formed in a circumferentialsurface of the bristle carrier 10 which is directed towards the handpart 1 and extending essentially parallel to the axis of rotation 12(cf. FIGS. 1 and 14). By virtue of the longitudinal-slot-like cutout, itis only the component of the drive movement of the drive rocker 15 inthe direction transverse to the axis of rotation 12 which is transmittedto the bristle carrier 10. The up and down movement, i.e. the componentof the circulatory drive movement parallel to the axis of rotation 12,is not transmitted since the drive rocker 15 can move freely parallel tothe axis of rotation 12 in the cutout 18.

As FIG. 2 shows, the rear bristle arrangement 8, which is closer to thehand part 1, is borne by an approximately plate-like additional bristlecarrier 13 which, like the main bristle carrier 10, is mounted in amoveable manner on the brush-head carrier 11 independently of the drivetransmitter 14. As FIG. 2 shows, the additional bristle carrier 13 ismounted at its rear edge section, which is directed towards the handpart, such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis 19 which extendsessentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush, or essentially parallel to the axis of rotation 12 of thebristle carrier 10, and perpendicularly to the plane defined by theadditional bristle carrier 13. Accordingly, it is possible for theadditional bristle carrier 13, in particular its section which isdirected towards the main bristle carrier 10, to pivot transversely backand forth in the lateral direction, as the arrow 20 illustrates.

In order to drive the additional bristle arrangement 8 in a rotationallyoscillating manner about the pivot axis 19, the additional bristlecarrier 13 is coupled to the drive rocker 15, which also drives the mainbristle carrier 10. As FIG. 3 shows, there is provided, on the undersideof the additional bristle carrier 13, a drive coupling 21 whichcomprises a longitudinal cutout 22 which is parallel to the pivot axis19 and in which the drive rocker 15 is guided. In the configurationdepicted, the longitudinal cutout 22 is defined by two post-likeprotrusions 23 and 24, between which the drive rocker 15 is guided. Theprotrusions 23, 24 extend essentially parallel to the pivot axis 19,with the result that the cutout defined between the protrusions 23 and24, or the gap, likewise runs parallel to the pivot axis 19.Accordingly, in this case too, just one component of the circulatingdrive movement of the drive rocker 15 is transmitted, namely in theplane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush, in thedirection perpendicular to the pivot axis 19. The vertical component ofthe drive movement parallel to the plane of symmetry of the toothbrushis not transmitted, since the drive rocker can reciprocate freely inthis direction in the longitudinal cutout 22 between the protrusions 23and 24.

Alternative mountings for the additional bristle arrangement 8 or theadditional bristle carrier 13 are shown in FIGS. 4 to 11. The toothbrushheads shown here are likewise envisaged for the toothbrush shown in FIG.1 and otherwise correspond to the previously described toothbrush headso that, in this respect, you are referred to the description thereofand the same designations are used for corresponding components.

According to FIG. 4, the additional bristle carrier 13 is mounted on thebrush-head carrier 11 such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis 25which extends essentially parallel to the plane defined by theadditional bristle carrier 13, or transversely to the axis of rotation12 of the bristle carrier 10, and runs transversely to the longitudinaldirection of the toothbrush. The additional bristle carrier 13 here ismounted in a pivotable manner by way of its rear edge or end section,i.e. the one directed towards the hand part 1, with the result that itcan execute an up and down rocking movement about the pivot axis 25.That section of the additional bristle carrier 13 which is directedtowards the main bristle carrier 10 can rock up and down according tothe arrow 26, with the result that the bristles of the additionalbristle arrangement 8 execute a picking movement.

In order to drive the additional bristle carrier 13 in oscillation aboutthe pivot axis 25, there is provided on its underside, as drivecoupling, an engagement or sliding surface 27, by means of which it isseated on the drive rocker 15, which also drives the main bristlecarrier 10. As FIG. 5 shows, the engagement or sliding surface 27 isformed by the end surface of an elongate tappet or protuberance 28 whichextends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush andprojects in the direction of the drive rocker 15. The surface of thetappet 28 may be of essentially planar design. The circulating driverocker moves transversely over the sliding surface 27, the verticalcomponent of the circulating rocking movement being transmitted to thetappet or protuberance 28 and rocking the additional bristle carrier 13up and down, the sliding surface 27 being kept in engagement with thedrive rocker 15 by the teeth-cleaning reaction forces acting on theadditional bristle arrangement. It is also possible here, ifappropriate, to provide prestressing of the additional bristle carrier,for example by means of a spring, which pushes the additional bristlecarrier against the drive rocker. As an alternative, it would also bepossible, instead of providing the sliding surface 27, to provide agroove-like transverse cutout in a corresponding section of theadditional bristle carrier 13, the drive rocker 15 being seated in saidcutout, with the result that the drive rocker would push the additionalbristle carrier upwards and pull it actively downwards. Such atransverse groove corresponds to the arrangement of two parallel slidingsurfaces 27 between which the drive rocker 15 is guided.

According to FIGS. 6 and 7, it is also possible for the additionalbristle carrier 13 to be mounted approximately centrally about atransversely running pivot axis 29 in the manner of a rocker. As in theabove described configuration, the pivot axis 29 extends, transverselyto the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush, or to the axis ofrotation 12 of the bristle carrier 10, approximately in the planedefined by the additional bristle carrier 13 or a plane parallelthereto, with the result that a section of the additional bristlecarrier 13 which is directed towards the main bristle carrier 10 and anopposite section of the additional bristle carrier 13, which is directedtowards the hand part 1, execute up and down rocking movements inopposite directions. The drive coupling of the additional bristlecarrier may be formed, in a manner identical to the above describedconfiguration according to FIGS. 4 and 5, by a sliding surface 27 whichis provided on a tappet 28 and slides on the drive rocker 15. In so faras the teeth-cleaning reaction forces act on both sides of the pivotaxis 29 in this configuration, a prestressing device which keeps theadditional bristle carrier in engagement with the drive rocker 15 may beexpedient. It is also possible here, if appropriate, to provide theabove described positive guidance by means of a transverse groove, inwhich the drive rocker is seated.

According to FIGS. 8 and 9, the additional bristle carrier 13 may alsobe guided such that it can be displaced in a translatory manner on thebrush-head carrier 11. As FIG. 8 shows, the additional bristle carrier13 may be guided along two movement axes 30 which extend essentiallyperpendicularly to the plane defined by the additional bristle carrier,or essentially parallel to the axis of rotation 12 of the bristlecarrier 10. The sliding guide may be formed, for example, by acylindrical bolt guide which is known per se. The sliding-guide axes 30may be arranged, on the longitudinal centre plane of the toothbrush, ina rear and front edge section of the additional bristle carrier 13, asFIG. 8 shows. In accordance with the translatory movement capability ofthe additional bristle carrier 13, the latter can execute up and downstroke movements, with the result that the additional bristlearrangement 8 executes picking movements on the additional bristlecarrier 13.

Here too, the stroke movement of the additional bristle carrier 13 isproduced by a coupling to the drive rocker 15. As FIG. 9 shows, it ispossible to provide, on an underside of the additional bristle carrier13, a sliding surface 27 which extends transversely to the longitudinaldirection of the toothbrush and is formed by the surface of a tappet 28which projects in relation to the drive rocker 15. The tappet 28 isexpediently arranged approximately centrally beneath the additionalbristle arrangement and centrally between the movement axes 30, with theresult that it is possible to produce a uniform force distribution andtilting-free movement. The teeth-cleaning reaction forces acting on theadditional bristle arrangement 8 keep the sliding surface 27 inengagement with the drive rocker 15.

A further possible mounting for the additional bristle carrier 13 isshown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Here too, the additional bristle carrier 13 ismounted such that it can be displaced in a translatory manner on thebrush-head carrier 11, to be precise along two parallel sliding-guideaxes 31 which extend, in the plane defined by the additional bristlecarrier 13, transversely to the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush, or to the axis of rotation 12 of the bristle carrier 10. AsFIG. 10 shows, a rear end section of the additional bristle carrier 13,said section being directed towards the hand part 1, and an end sectionof the additional bristle carrier 13 which is directed towards the mainbristle carrier 10 may be mounted by the abovementioned sliding guide.In this case, the additional bristle carrier 13 can execute transverselyreciprocating movements in the lateral direction, as the arrow 32illustrates.

In this case too, the translationally oscillating drive movement of theadditional bristle carrier 13 is produced by the drive rocker 15. AsFIG. 11 shows, the additional bristle carrier 13 is seated on the driverocker 15 by means of a transverse guide 33. The transverse guide 33, ina manner similar to the configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3, is defined bytwo parallel post-like protrusions 23 and 24 which, between them, definea gap or a longitudinal cutout 22 which extends essentiallyperpendicularly to the plane of the additional bristle carrier 13. Thedrive rocker 15 can slide freely up and down in the vertical direction,i.e. in the longitudinal symmetry plane of the toothbrush, between thetwo protrusions 23 and 24. The drive movement of the drive rocker 15,however, is transmitted in a plane perpendicular thereto, i.e. in aplane parallel to the two sliding-guide axes 31, with the result thatthe additional bristle carrier 13 reciprocates in oscillation in thedirection of the sliding-guide axes 31.

A preferred bristle covering of the two bristle carriers 10 and 13 isshown in FIGS. 12 to 14. It goes without saying that the bristlecovering according to FIGS. 12 to 14 may be provided for each of theabove described embodiments of the additional bristle carrier and/or themounting thereof.

The main bristle arrangement 9, which can be driven in a rotationallyoscillating manner, has an approximately circular-cylindrical outlineoverall and is formed by a plurality of clusters of bristles atdifferent inclinations, of different heights and different crosssections.

As FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show, central, first clusters of bristles 38 arearranged in the middle around the axis of rotation of the main bristlecarrier. They extend perpendicularly to the plane defined by the bristlecarrier 10 and have an approximately circular or slightly oval crosssection. Four first clusters of bristles 38 are provided. They arelocated in the middle around the axis of rotation 12. Adjacent to thefirst cluster of bristles 38 are second clusters of bristles 39, which,when the bristle carrier 10 has not been rotated, are located on thelongitudinal centre axis of the toothbrush and in front of, and behind,the first cluster of bristles 38, as seen in the longitudinal direction.As FIG. 12 shows, the second clusters of bristles 39 have an oval crosssection with a longitudinal axis extending transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the toothbrush. The second clusters of bristles 39are likewise arranged perpendicularly to the plane defined by thebristle carrier 10. They are spaced apart from the axis of rotation 12by a greater distance than the first clusters of bristles 38. The ratioof contour length to contour width is approximately two.

The rest of the clusters of bristles of the driven bristle arrangementare inclined, to be precise in different directions. The fourth clustersof bristles 40, which are arranged radially outside the first clustersof bristles 38, as it were on a second bristle-cluster ring, have anapproximately circular cross section and are inclined radially outwards,i.e. their free working ends are further away from the axis of rotationof the bristle carrier than their fastening sections fastened on thebristle carrier 10. The angle of inclination is acute and less than 20°.

The third clusters of bristles 41 are likewise inclined radiallyoutwards. However, they have an oval contour or an elongate crosssection, the longitudinal axis of the cross section being orientedradially. The cross section of the third clusters of bristles isapproximately twice to three times as long as it is wide. The thirdclusters of bristles 41 are seated radially outside the first clustersof bristles 38, adjacent to the latter, on a bristle-arrangement axis ofsymmetry running transversely to the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush.

The remaining clusters of bristles of the bristle arrangement 9 arelikewise inclined, albeit in the circumferential direction about theaxis of rotation 12. They form the outer edge or ring of the bristlearrangement 9.

The fifth clusters of bristles 42 have an oval contour or an elongatecross section, which is oriented approximately tangentially to the edgeof the bristle carrier 10. In cross section, the clusters of bristles 42are approximately twice to three times as long as they are wide. As FIG.12 shows, the fifth clusters of bristles 42 are arranged in pairs in theregion of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush if the bristlearrangement 9 has not been rotated. They are inclined towards oneanother in pairs, with the result that their free working ends arecloser together than their fastening sections anchored in the bristlecarrier 10.

Finally, sixth clusters of bristles 43 are provided, these likewisebeing located on the outer edge of the bristle arrangement and beinginclined in the circumferential direction about the axis of rotation 12.However, they have an approximately circular cross section and arearranged in pairs on both sides of the third clusters of bristles 41 andare likewise inclined towards the latter in opposite directions. Theangles of inclination of the circumferentially inclined clusters ofbristles 43 and 42 located on the outside are likewise acute andpreferably less than 20° to the vertical through the plane defined bythe bristle carrier 10.

As FIGS. 13 and 14 show, the clusters of bristles arranged on themoveable bristle carrier 10 have two lengths. The outer, fifth clustersof bristles 42, which are located right at the front and rear, as seenin the longitudinal direction, and of which the free ends are alllocated in a single plane, are longer than the rest of the clusters ofbristles. The free ends of the fifth clusters of bristles 42 define aplane. The difference in height between the clusters of bristles is inthe range of from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably approximately 1.0 mm to1.5 mm. In the configuration depicted, it is 1.2 mm.

The clusters of bristles of the additional bristle arrangement 8likewise have different cross sections, in terms of contour and surfacearea, and, furthermore, are likewise inclined differently. Clusters ofbristles of different lengths are also provided, as is yet to bedescribed.

As FIG. 12 shows, roughly speaking three rows of clusters of bristles,all extending approximately in the longitudinal direction of thetoothbrush, are provided in the additional bristle arrangement. Thecentral row is located on the longitudinal centre axis of the additionalbristle carrier 13, while the two outer rows are spaced aparttransversely therefrom.

In the central row of bristles, all the clusters of bristles areinclined in the direction of the hand part 1. All the clusters ofbristles have an elongate or oval cross section, but differentcross-sectional surface areas. First clusters of bristles 44 of thefixed bristle arrangement 8 have an oval cross section, of which thelongitudinal axis is approximately double the length of the transverseaxis. The first clusters of bristles 44 alternate in the central rowwith clusters of bristles 45, which are referred to hereinbelow asfourth clusters of bristles and are likewise inclined rearwards in thedirection of the hand part. The fourth clusters of bristles 45 likewisehave an oval cross section, but are of considerably narrower design andhave a smaller cross-sectional surface area than the first clusters ofbristles. In accordance with the configuration depicted, the elongatecross section is approximately—roughly speaking—three times as long asit is wide. The length of the oval cross section here is slightlysmaller than the length of the cross section of the first clusters ofbristles 44.

The two outer rows of the clusters of bristles of the fixed bristlearrangement 8 comprise second and third clusters of bristles. Secondclusters of bristles 46 have an oval cross section with a relativelynarrow contour. The longitudinal axis of the elongate cross-sectionalcontour is approximately three times the width of the cross-sectionalcontour. The third clusters of bristles 47 have an approximatelycircular cross section, the diameter of the cross section being somewhatmore than half the longitudinal axis of the cross section of the secondclusters of bristles 46. As FIG. 12 shows, the third clusters ofbristles 47 are spaced apart differently from the longitudinal centreaxis of the brush head 2. The distance from the longitudinal centre axisdecreases in the direction of the hand part 1. The third clusters ofbristles 47, however, are still located one behind the other to theextent that their contour is located approximately behind the contour ofthe much wider, second clusters of bristles 46. The second and thirdclusters of bristles 46 and 47 are each inclined forwards, i.e. in thedirection of the drivable bristle arrangement 9, at an acute angle, tobe precise at an acute angle which may be preferably 12° to 15°. All theclusters of bristles of the additional bristle arrangement 8 arepreferably inclined in the longitudinal centre plane of the brush head 2or planes which are parallel thereto. In contrast, all the clusters ofbristles of the main bristle arrangement 9 are inclined differently orin a different direction.

The clusters of bristles of the additional bristle arrangement 8 definetwo working planes, as FIG. 14 shows. The circular, third clusters ofbristles 47 in the outer rows and the thicker, first clusters ofbristles 44 in the central row are of shorter design and define, withtheir free working ends, a lower-level plane which coincides with theplane which is defined by the first, second, third, fourth and sixthclusters of bristles of the main bristle arrangement 9. A higher, secondplane, in contrast, is defined by the longer, fourth clusters ofbristles 45 in the central row and the second clusters of bristles 46 inthe two outer rows. This higher plane coincides with the plane which isdefined by the longer, fifth clusters of bristles of the main bristlearrangement 9. In the additional bristle arrangement 8, it is thus thecase that the narrower, oval clusters of bristles are longer than thethicker clusters of bristles.

In contrast to the main bristle arrangement 9, the additional bristlearrangement 8, rather than having a circular contour, has an elongatecontour overall which, at its end which is directed towards the rotatingbristle arrangement 9, encloses the latter.

As FIG. 1 shows, the brush head 2 is fastened in a releasable manner onthe brush tube 3. It can easily be drawn off from the brush tube 3, andpushed onto the same, in the axial direction. For this purpose, thebrush-head carrier 11 has a fastening section 34 by means of which itcan be pushed onto or into a corresponding fastening section 35 at theend of the brush tube 3. The two fastening sections 34 and 35 are bothdesigned approximately in the form of half-shells in each case andsupplement one another in a precisely fitting manner, with the resultthat, in the pushed-together state, they form a hollow profile whichcontinues the brush tube 3.

In order to secure the brush head 2 in the axial direction on the handpart 1 and/or the brush tube 3, there is provided, between thebrush-head carrier and the hand part 1, a latching device 36 which, whenthe brush head 2 is pushed on, latches automatically in the axialdirection and, on the other hand, can be released again by radialpressure being applied to the brush tube 3 or the brush-head carrier.When the brush head 2 is pushed on, the drive rocker 15 is automaticallycoupled, at the same time, to the two moveable bristle carriers 10 and13.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush, thetoothbrush head comprising: a brush-head carrier having an endconfigured to be releasiably connected to a hand part of an electrictoothbrush; first and second bristle carriers attached to the brush-headcarrier and bearing first and second sets of bristle tufts,respectively, the first and second bristle carriers each configured tobe driven in a respective oscillation relative to the brush-head carrierin use; wherein at least one of the first and second set of bristletufts comprises a first bristle tuft which differs from a second bristletuft with regard to at least one of bristle tuft cross section, bristletuft length, bristle tuft inclination angle, or bristle stiffness. 20.The toothbrush head of claim 19, wherein bristle tufts of differentinclination angle also differ from each other with respect to thebristle tuft cross section.
 21. The toothbrush head of claim 19, whereinthe first set of bristle tufts comprises at least one tuft of adifferent cross sectional shape than tufts of the second set of bristletufts.
 22. The toothbrush head of claim 19, wherein the first set ofbristle tufts comprises at least one tuft of a different cross sectionthan tufts of the second set of bristle tufts.
 23. The toothbrush headof claim 19, wherein the first set of bristle tufts comprises at leastone tuft of a different length than tufts of the second set of bristletufts.
 24. The toothbrush head of claim 19, wherein the first set ofbristle tufts comprises at least one tuft extending at different bristletuft inclination angle than tufts of the second set of bristles.
 25. Thetoothbrush head of claim 24, wherein the tufts of different inclinationangle also differ from each other with respect to the bristle tuft crosssection.
 26. The toothbrush head of claim 19 wherein each of the bristlecarriers includes a drive-coupler extending from the bristle carrier andconfigured to engage a drive rocker when the toothbrush head isconnected to a hand part.
 27. The toothbrush head of claim 26 wherein atleast one of the drive-couplers is affixed to one of the bristlecarriers without a dedicated drive shaft, rocker, or rod.
 28. Thetoothbrush head of claim 26 wherein at least one of the drive-couplerscomprises cutouts and surfaces configured to engage the drive rockerwhen the toothbrush head is fitted onto the hand part.
 29. Thetoothbrush head of claim 26 at least one of the drive-couplers isprestressed to engage the sliding surface with the drive rocker.
 30. Thetoothbrush head of claim 19 wherein the first bristle carrier defines amovement axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head.31. The toothbrush head of claim 19 wherein the first bristle carrier isadapted to rotate about an axis arranged substantially perpendicularlyto a longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head.
 32. The toothbrush headof claim 19 wherein the first bristle carrier is adapted to rotate aboutan axis substantially parallel to a main bristle direction of thebristle arrangement disposed on the first bristle carrier.
 33. Thetoothbrush head of claim 19, further comprising releasable fasteningmeans for removable attachment of the brush-head carrier to the handpart.
 34. The toothbrush head of claim 19 wherein the first set ofbristle tufts extend from the first bristle carrier at multipleinclinations from a plane defined by an outer surface of the firstbristle carrier, from which the first set of bristle tufts extend. 35.The toothbrush head of claim 19 wherein the second bristle carrier isconfigured to pivot about a pivot axis arranged approximately parallelto a plane defined by an outer face of the second bristle carrier. 36.The toothbrush head of claim 19 wherein the first set of bristle tuftshave different cross sectional shapes, lengths, and angles ofinclination than the second set of bristle tufts.
 37. The toothbrushhead of claim 19 wherein all of the bristle tufts of the second bristlecarrier are inclined in a longitudinal center plane of the brush head orplanes which are parallel thereto and all of the bristle tufts of thefirst bristle carrier are inclined differently or in a differentdirection.
 38. A toothbrush comprising a hand part containing anelectric motor; and the toothbrush head of claim 19 coupled to the handpart.
 39. A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush, the toothbrushhead comprising: a brush-head carrier having an end configured to bereleasiably connected to a hand part of an electric toothbrush; a mainbristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both bristle carriersbearing a bristle arrangement, the bristle carriers moveably attached tothe brush-head carrier, the bristle carriers each bearing a respectiveset of bristle tufts, at least one of the sets of bristle tuftscomprising a first bristle tuft which differs from a second bristle tuftwith regard to at least one of bristle tuft cross section, bristle tuftlength, bristle tuft inclination angle, or bristle stiffness; and one ormore drive-couplers configured to engage the hand part when thetoothbrush head is connected to the hand part, such that the hand partdrives the main bristle carrier in rotational oscillation about a centeraxis and the additional bristle carrier in translational oscillationalong a direction transverse to the toothbrush.
 40. The toothbrush headof claim 39 wherein the first set of bristle tufts is differs from thesecond set of bristle tufts with regard to at least one of bristle tuftcross section, bristle tuft lengths, and bristle tuft inclination angle.41. The toothbrush head of claim 39 wherein all of the bristle tufts ofthe additional bristle carrier are inclined in a longitudinal centerplane of the brush head or planes which are parallel thereto and all ofthe bristle tufts of the main bristle carrier are inclined differentlyor in a different direction.
 42. The toothbrush head of claim 39 orclaim 40, wherein bristle tufts of different inclination angle alsodiffer from each other with respect to the bristle tuft cross section.